Bun slicer having adjustable blades



Aug. 20, 1957 D. K. STRAND 2,803,279

BUN SLICER HAVING ADJUSTABLE BLADES 2 Sheds-Sheet. 1

Filed Sept. 3. 1954 Donald K Strand IN VEN TOR.

I8 I r 1957 D. K. STRAND I 2,803,279

BUN SLICER HAVING ADJUSTABLE BLADES Filed Sept. 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

Donald .K Sfrand I INVENTOR.

I 7 2,803,279 I run SLICER HAVING ADJUSTABLE BLADES Donald K. Strand, Galesburg, 11]., assignor to Stevens %::les Company, Inc., Galesburg, 111., a corporation of mols 2 Application September 3, 1954-, Serial No. 454,166 3 Claims. Cl. 146-73 This invention relates to a bun slicing machine, and more specifically provides a device for quickly and easily forming a horizontal slit or cut in a bread bun prior'to the packaging thereof, thereby facilitating the use'of the bun in forming a sandwich or the like.

Frequently, it is desirable to slice buns or rollscommonly known as hamburger rolls in such a manner that the slice does not extend entirely through. the roll, thereby leaving a solid portion at one edge thereof which functions as a hinge'for the separated portions of the roll, thereby facilitating the utilization of the roll in forming a sandwich or the like. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a bun slicing machine that will partially slice through two rows of buns passed between two oppositely disposed rotating saws wherein the buns are moved along 'a conveyor,

thereby forming a continuous slicing operation on tworows of buns or rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bun slicing machine conformable to the preceding object which includes a pressure plate for guiding and positioning the buns as well as precluding rotation thereof when engaged by the rotating saws.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a bun slicing machine wherein the depth of the slice in the roll may be adjusted as well as the'h'eight of the bottom portion of the, roll being adjustable, thereby adapting the machine for various types of rolls or buns and permitting various characteristics of the slice or cut performed on similar buns,'depending upon the specific use to which the buns will be employed.

Still another important feature of the present invention is toeliminate damage to the buns or rolls from faulty slicing, thereby ensuring a uniformly sliced product that will be highly desirable to. consumers.

Qtherimportant objects of the present invention will be found in its simplicity of construction,- efiiciencyf and speed of operation, its adaptability for its specific purpose, its adjustability and its relatively inexpensive manufacture maintenance. I

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside inthe details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings forming a parthereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in'whichz' Figure 1 is a top plan view of the bun slicing machine of the present invention; 7

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially along a longitudinal center line of the bun slicing machine of the present invention;

.Figure 3 is an end view of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse, verticalsectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of Figure 2 showing structural details of the bun slicing machine and showing the means for vertically and laterally adjusting the rotating saw blades;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken sub- 2,803,279 Patented Aug; 20, 1957 stantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the details of construction of the adjustable side rails and the relationship of the conveying surface to the recessed portion of the frame;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the brackets for supporting a saw blade motor; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the details of the adjustable brackets for the drivingmeans for the rotatable saw. i

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the bun slicing machine of the present invention including a hol low frame member 12 with a smooth top 14. The frame 12 is generally elongated in the shape of a rectangle and formed from side sheet-like members that form a hollow frame 12. Depending from the frame 12 at each end and at each corner is a supporting leg 16 in the nature of a rectangular hollow member having a caster wheel 18 at the bottom end thereof for movably supporting the bun slicing machine 10 of the present invention. The top surface 14 is provided with an elongated longitudinal recessed portion 20 having depending side walls 22 integrally formed with the upper surface 14. At each end of the recessed portion 20 is an elongated roller 24 hav v ing an endless conveyor belt 26 encircling the rollers 24. The rollers 24 are mounted on a transverse shaft 26 secured to opposite side edges 22 of the recess 20. One surface of the endless conveyor which is designated by the numeral 28 is generally a conveying surface, and the other portion thereof is spaced therebelow for forming a' return or endless conveyor belt 26;

Depending from the undersurface of the top 14 is a pair of bracket members 30 having slots 32 therein for receiving the conveyor belt 26 during a portion of its movement. The brackets 30 are in the nature of transverse plates secured between the side edges of the frame 12. Secured to one of the depending brackets 30 is a laterally extending bracket 34 for supporting an electric motor 36 that drives a suitable V-belt 38 that encircles an enlarged pulley 40 for driving -a countershaft 42 which, in turn, drives a V-belt 44 for driving one of the rollers 24 wherein the roller 24 will be driven at a greatly reduced speed from the electric motor 36.

Pivotally secured to the upper surface 14 adjacent the center thereof is a pair of pivotally mounted closures 46 secured to the side edges of the frame by hinge members 48, wherein the closures 46 will be pivoted about a horizontal longitudinal axis for raising from a position substantially flush against the upper surface 14 to a position for exposing to view two horizontally disposed rotating saw blades 50, wherein each of the saw blades 50 is provided with a shaft 52 driven by an electric motor 54 that is secured to a bracket 56 mounted on a pair of transverse shafts 58 for sliding movement wherein the transverse shafts 58 are slidably secured to the sides of'the frame 12. Centrally of the transverse shaft 58 is a transverse rod 60 having oppositely threaded end portions 62 with one end projecting exteriorly of the frame 12 and provided with an operating knob 64 for rotating the rod 60. Itis noted that the bracket 56 is provided with a depending central lug 66 that is externally threaded for engagement with the threads 62 wherein the bracket 56 will be transversely moved upon actuation of the threaded knob 64. Depending apertured lugs 68 are secured to the outer edges of the bracket'56 for sliding movement in relation to the transverse shaft 58. Centrally of the bracket 30 is secured a depending U-shaped member 70 in longitudinal relation which is disposed beneath a member 72 that is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 74 having apertures 76 therein for positioning over the transverse rods 58 and a centrally disposed upstand numeral 80 for engaging the operating rod 60. Depending from the undersurface of the centrally disposed member 72 is a pair of depending lugs 82 for receiving and positioning guide members 84 which permit and guide vertical movement of the member 72 in relation to the member 70. A nut 85 is rigidly secured to the bight portion of the U-shaped member 70 and threadedly engages an elongated threaded adjusting screw 86 that is provided with an offset handle 88 at the lower end thereof, together with a collar 90 that is adjustable thereon between the handle 88 and the U-shaped member 70 wherein by rotation of the handle 88, the member 72 together with the transverse rod 58 and the actuating rod 60 is vertically adjusted, thereby vertically adjusting the position of the bracket 56, motor 54 and the rotating saw blade 50. It is noted that the saw blades 50 extend through slots 92 in the side walls 22 of the recessed portion 20 of the upper wall 14 of the frame 12. The periphery of the saws 50 extends over the conveying surface 28 of the conveying belt 26 wherein buns or rolls 94 will be sliced as they pass along the conveying surface 28.

Positioned along the interior wall 22 of the recessed member 20 is a pair of elongated longitudinal guide rails 96 with each of the guide rails 96 having a pair of laterally projecting rods 98 that are slidably received in depending lugs 100 and a suitable aperture in the wall of the recess 20 wherein the guide rails 96 may be adjusted laterally in relation to the conveying surface 28. A pair of setscrews 102 having an operating knob 104 on the upper end thereof is screw threaded through the top member 14 for engagement with the rods 98, thereby adjusting the lateral adjustment of the rods 98 and the guide rails 96. The guide rails 96 will necessarily be provided with slots for receiving the periphery of the rotating saw blades 50 for permitting slicing of the rolls or buns 94.

Positioned over the periphery of the inner portion of the saw blades 50 is an elongated pressure plate 106 mounted on upstanding bolts secured to the top member 14 wherein compression coil springs 108 are secured around the stud between the top member 14 and the pressure plate 106 wherein the pressure plate will be retained in parallel spaced relation to the top 14 and to the conveying surface 28. On the undersurface of the pressure plate 106 is a plurality of longitudinal ribs 110 for engaging the buns 94 thereby precluding rotation of the buns 94 when the buns 94 are engaged by the rotating saw blades 50.

Secured centrally of the pressure plate 106 on the undersurface thereof is a T-shaped dividing bar 112 secured thereto by fastening means 114 wherein the area between the pressure plate 106 and the conveying surface 28 will be divided equally into two paths for movement of the buns 94. The entrance end of the pressure plate 106 is provided with an upwardly flared portion 116 for guiding the buns 94 into the area between the rotating saws 50. Further, the dividing bar 112 is also provided with an upturned end portion for forming a guide for the buns 94.

Positioned on the side edge of the frame 12 is a suitable control switch 118 for controlling the operation of the motors 36 and 54 which operate independently of each other.

In operation, the buns 94 are positioned on the conveying surface 28 of the conveyor 26 wherein they pass between the rotating saws 50 in back-to-back relation wherein the dividing bar 112 positions the buns accurately in relation to the saws 50. The longitudinal rods 110 on the pressure plate 106 engage the upper surface of the buns 94, thereby preventing rotation of the buns when they are engaged by the rotating saws 50. It will be seen that the pressure plate 106 may be adjusted in relation to the upper surface of the rotating saws 50 and the guide rails 96 may be laterally adjusted for adjusting the width of the conveying surface 28. By

lateral adjustment of the saws by rotating the operating knob 64, the distance between the adjacent periphery of the rotating saws 50 may be adjusted, thereby adjusting the depth of the slice made in the buns 94. Also, this permits the use of the bun slicing machine of the present invention in conjunction with buns or rolls of various sizes and shapes. The handle 88 may be rotated for vertical adjustment of the saws 50, thereby adjusting the thickness of each half of the bun as defined by the slice of the rotating saws 50. Since the member 72 is positioned centrally of the transverse shafts 58 and the transverse rod 60, by vertical adjustment of the central member 72, the motor 54 together with the brackets 56 and the transverse rods 58 and are vertically adjusted by a suitable slot connection to the frame 12. Obviously, suitable adjustable means may be provided for adjusting the tension of the conveying belt 26 and the particular speed at which the device is operated depends upon the type of buns being sliced, as well as other pertinent factors.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood, and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A bun slicing machine comprising a frame, an elongated conveyor mounted on said frame having a horizon tal conveying surface extending longitudinally of the frame, a pair of saw blades extending inwardly over the conveying surface for slicing opposite edges of a pair of buns passed between the saws, means for adjusting the distance between the saw blades, means for adjusting the vertical position of the saw blades, and drive means for said saw blades and conveyor, and a pressure plate positioned over a portion of the conveying surface and said saw blades in parallel spaced relation, longitudinal ribs on the undersurface of said plate for precluding rotation of the buns when in engagement with the saw blades, and a dividing bar secured to said pressure plate in extending relation to the undersurface for dividing the conveying surface under the pressure plate into two equal and separate paths for guiding the buns between the saws.

2. A bun slicing machine comprising a frame, an elongated conveyor mounted on said frame having a horizontal conveying surface extending longitudinally of the frame, a pair of saw blades extending inwardly over the conveying surface for slicing the outer edges of a pair of buns passed between the saws, means for adjusting the distance between the saw blades for varying the depth of the slice, means for adjusting the vertical position of the saw blades for varying the elevation of the slice in the bun, and drive means for said saw blades and conveyor, said frame having a longitudinal recess receiving the conveying surface of the conveyor, laterally adjustable side rails positioned along the side edges of said recess for adjusting the width of the conveying surface, and a pressure plate positioned over a portion of the conveying surface and said saw blades in parallel spaced relation, longitudinal ribs on the undersurface of said plate for precluding rotation of the buns when in engagement with said saw blades, and a dividing bar secured to the undersurface of said plate for forming two equal longitudinal paths under the plate, said bar separating the buns during the slicing operation.

3. A bun slicing machine comprising a frame, an elongated conveyor mounted on said frame having a horizontal conveying surface extending longitudinally of the frame, a pair of saw blades extending inwardly over the conveying surface for slicing opposite edges of a pair of buns passed between the saws, means for adjusting the 1) distance between the saw blades, means for adjusting the vertical position of the saw blades, and independent drive means for said saw blades and conveyor, and a pressure plate positioned over a portion of the conveying surface and said saw blades in parallel spaced relation, longitudinal ribs on the undersurface of said plate for precluding rotation of the buns when in engagement with the saw blades, said drive means for said blades including a vertically disposed motor for each blade, a bracket for each of said motors, an adjusting screw extending vertically through the frame for engagement with both said brackets, and an operating handle on said adjusting screws for raising and lowering the position of said saw blades in relation to the conveying surface thereby adjusting the position of the slit in the buns, said means for adjusting the distance between the saws including a transverse rod 6 having oppositely threaded end portions for threaded engagement with the bracket on each motor for said saw blades, an operating knob on the end of said rod for rotating said rod thereby moving the motors and saw blades simultaneously and transversely of the frame thereby adjusting the distance between the saw blades and adjusting the depth of the slit in the buns.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,347,007 Tod Apr. 18, 1944 2,361,615 Elrod Oct. 31, 1944 2,669,269 Schmidt Feb. 16, 1954 2,673,583 Skog Mar. 30, 1954 2,710,637 Fish June 14. 1955 

